It's a bold declaration of wisdom, to be sure. But when Mr. Parker follows it with a wide, playful grin eliciting laughter from those around him, you can't help but be charmed by this mischievous, gentlemanly owner of his eponymous men's clothing store at 19 West Broughton Street.

J. Parker's atmosphere is, in Mr. Parker's own words, both business and casual, "classic with a twist, bridging into contemporary"; an eclectic blend of bespoke style with a casual, slightly rugged touch. Think Savile Row for the Southern man, who needs sharp threads to both hunt his dinner and attend to it later. A single step into the store, and whether in search of the proper silohuettes or colors for your wardrobe, chances are you'll find it here. From tuxedos to shorts, J. Parker's provides a mix of all clothing gentlemanly; as Mr. Parker quipped to us, "You don't have to be a sport to wear a sportcoat."

 

The brands J. Parker stocks - Filson, Lacoste, Burberry - signify not just luxury, but an ethic of quality-made goods and classic, timeless fashion. Mr. Parker keeps abreast of current trends via DLS Outfitters, his New York buying office. (Surely, no better fashion advice can come from than the heart of midtown Manhattan.)

 

Over 35 years ago, the original J. Parker's store in Midtown opened, and to the brand this day "hangs its hat on providing gentlemen of the Coastal Empire with fine apparel, furnishings and sportswear", according to Mr. Parker. Three years ago Mr. Parker opened a second location, this one on Broughton, and has become "a tremendous success."

Proud to be a part of the rebirth of downtown Savannah, "Broughton is becoming a booming hotbed of activity," Mr. Parker intones. He shares that while the local audience for his wares remains a varied but dedicated niche, the tourists - both domestic and international - passing through Broughton are "really what make it pop."

He's seen trends come and go, but Mr. Parker is a Savannah mainstay. He cut his teeth on both business and showmanship as early as the 1950's, as a shoeshine boy offering buffs for 10 cents:

 

How 'bout a shoeshine? 

 

Later, he honed his skills at his father's jewelry store on Drayton wedged between Bo Peep's Pool Hall and one of the first Krystal restaurants.

Throughout a trip in higher education beginning in 1965 that won him a Master's degree in psychology, Mr. Parker kept working in the men's apparel industry, at a collection of three different stores. After a short-lived gig at Georgia Regional Hospital, in October 1972 he returned to his first love - salesmanship with a unique flair and charm all its own. 

 

As the finely attuned connoisseurs we are, BROUGHTONSTREET.COM can do nothing else but recommend you run, don't walk to 19 W. Broughton for Mr. Parker's exquisite selection of the finest men's threads. (We ourselves are partial to fitted Ike Behar shirts, that fit like a glove and drive the ladies crazy. Chea!)